Choreography Program

The program is intended for third- and fourth-year students interested in deepening their focus in the areas of composition, choreography and performance art. We seek to create conditions in which students can enrich their knowledge and gain experience in composition procedures, while also finding ways to develop their individual voices and artistic approaches to dance.Enrichment areas:Compositional issues: the dance composition as a form with its own unique characteristics, approaches to relationship-building and orchestration. Motif and variation, the dialogue between the physical and abstract elements of the dance. Embodying ideas in movement. Transforming raw material into a creative work.Encounters with creative artists in the field of dance and other fields (choreographers, poets, directors, composers, interdisciplinary artists, etc.): Each artist presents his/her own methods and approaches to stimulating the viewer. The diversity of these artists highlights the emphasis on openness, and on the student’s focus as an independent creative artist.Physical awareness: physical awareness as a tool for creating original and authentic movement. The relationship between approaches to dance and movement; the relationship between movement and composer intentions.Analysis of creative works: selected works as models for analysis, introduction to analytical tools, defining values and concepts in cultural, artistic and dance context.Music: musical forms as a basis and partner for dance, from classical to contemporary. Familiarity with the forms and with their expression in dance.The stage: the space in which dance is presented to the audience; its requirements and possibilities that it offers, and the features that it entails (e.g., stage design, lighting, costuming).Dance and technology: Incorporating technologies into dance theory and practice. Objects, video, lighting, sound, alternative spaces as part of dance structure.Multidisciplinary issues: Incorporating sound, objects, texts, etc., into the dance.A variety of courses and workshops, each with its own detailed curriculum. Each course involves focused, practical composition work.In addition to specific courses and tutorials, students are provided with guidance and support in their independent creative work, as well as a place in which to integrate (or separate) the topics studied.

course offerings:1. Choreography/Composition with Creative Artists - 4 semester hoursEach artist will bring his/her own suggestions and work methods to the class. There will be3 to 5 sessions with each artist.The sessions will deal with the relationship between the approachto dance and movement materials. Students will acquire the skills to create, define and organizemovement materials. During the sessions students will be expected to take part in focusedcomposition exercises, and to present their work.

3. Supervision of students’ independent work by Anat Shamgar - 2 semester hoursGuidance and support for students engaged in independent creative work. From ideato performance: choosing a direction and subject, the process of opening up one’s work tothe class session, group discussion of issues arising from student proposals and from performances. Dances to be presented at a final semester performance.